The Cramer Hill Community Garden rain gardens were installed to beautify the site and to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from the surrounding neighborhood.

These rain gardens help to mitigate nuisance flooding in the area and reduces nonpoint source pollution and stormwater that would otherwise discharge into the City of Camden’s combined sewer system.

These rain gardens are part of the Cooper River Watershed. The Cooper River watershed is characterized by extensive residential and commercial development, and as a result, its streams are severely impacted by increased stormwater runoff. To address the water quality issues associated with increased stormwater runoff, demonstration projects like these rain gardens are essential.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program staff, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County, Camden County Soil Conservation District, and the Cramer Hill Community Development Corporation participated in the installation of these rain gardens in June 2011, which was approved by the City of Camden. With assistance from Fleet Construction & Remodeling Co., Inc., the existing soil was excavated and used to create shallow berms. The remaining soil was hauled away and disposed off-site. To provide adequate infiltration, approximately 8 cubic yards of a 50% sand and 50% compost soil mix was tilled into the existing soil. Approximately two (2) cubic yards of topsoil was applied to provide additional nutrients for the plants. The native plants that were installed in the rain gardens were purchased from Popes' Garden.